Noctis glares up at Angeal as he circles them and asks his rhetorical question, though the effect is a little ruined by Prompto's insistence on continuing to be ridiculous. "Gimme a break, I didn't exactly have time to do anything before he threw himself at me - gah, Prom, that tickles--"
The truth is, Noctis isn't used to taking direct control of others at all, mostly because he's never wanted to. The conspicuous power differential between him and almost everyone he's ever known was one he absolutely did not want to exploit, so he subconsciously taught himself to be more passive and let people - or animals, or weird little hiso aliens - do as they pleased so long as it wasn't hurting anyone or ruining anything. He didn't really count 'knocking him over with a barrage of affection' as hurting him, even when it was annoying. (And it's happened more than one might think!)
So it's difficult for him to adjust to the mindset of needing to control his own partner like this. What if he goes too far? What if it bleeds into their lives beyond the collars? After all, when they were kids, Prompto was too intimidated by the Prince to even talk to him. And sure, it's not like that anymore, but what if all this leash stuff brings it back? He knows all too well how these collars and their built-in instincts and physical changes can mess with one's head. He himself didn't feel comfortable speaking for a good long while even after he was done being a cat.
But...Noctis has to trust that Prompto knows what he wants. And what he wants, apparently, is for Noctis to bring him to heel while he's a dog. For Prom's sake, Noctis can do it. It's a little easier if he thinks back to the way Prompto disciplined his 'cat' because Noctis wouldn't do as he was told. It's just a normal part of this whole experience. Right?
So he reaches out to summon one of their red leashes from the Armiger. He's about to use it when Angeal follows up his question with...that. It's more of a snarl than a glare that Noctis levels at him as he clips the leash onto Prompto's collar and, indeed, pushes him off and stands back up. He holds the other end of the leash, yes, but he doesn't do anything to discipline Prompto just yet.
Instead, he narrows his eyes at Angeal, posture straightening without realizing it. "You back off, you get to stay. That was the deal." He scoffs, derisive. "Some dog-lover you are, anyway. There's no such thing as a 'bad dog.'" He rests his free hand on top of Prompto's head, as if reassuring him that he is not a bad pup, no matter what Angeal says. "Just because a good dog misbehaves sometimes, doesn't make him bad. Say that about Prom again and we're going home."
Then, without missing a beat, he turns to Prompto and arches a brow. "As for you, sit."
no subject
The truth is, Noctis isn't used to taking direct control of others at all, mostly because he's never wanted to. The conspicuous power differential between him and almost everyone he's ever known was one he absolutely did not want to exploit, so he subconsciously taught himself to be more passive and let people - or animals, or weird little hiso aliens - do as they pleased so long as it wasn't hurting anyone or ruining anything. He didn't really count 'knocking him over with a barrage of affection' as hurting him, even when it was annoying. (And it's happened more than one might think!)
So it's difficult for him to adjust to the mindset of needing to control his own partner like this. What if he goes too far? What if it bleeds into their lives beyond the collars? After all, when they were kids, Prompto was too intimidated by the Prince to even talk to him. And sure, it's not like that anymore, but what if all this leash stuff brings it back? He knows all too well how these collars and their built-in instincts and physical changes can mess with one's head. He himself didn't feel comfortable speaking for a good long while even after he was done being a cat.
But...Noctis has to trust that Prompto knows what he wants. And what he wants, apparently, is for Noctis to bring him to heel while he's a dog. For Prom's sake, Noctis can do it. It's a little easier if he thinks back to the way Prompto disciplined his 'cat' because Noctis wouldn't do as he was told. It's just a normal part of this whole experience. Right?
So he reaches out to summon one of their red leashes from the Armiger. He's about to use it when Angeal follows up his question with...that. It's more of a snarl than a glare that Noctis levels at him as he clips the leash onto Prompto's collar and, indeed, pushes him off and stands back up. He holds the other end of the leash, yes, but he doesn't do anything to discipline Prompto just yet.
Instead, he narrows his eyes at Angeal, posture straightening without realizing it. "You back off, you get to stay. That was the deal." He scoffs, derisive. "Some dog-lover you are, anyway. There's no such thing as a 'bad dog.'" He rests his free hand on top of Prompto's head, as if reassuring him that he is not a bad pup, no matter what Angeal says. "Just because a good dog misbehaves sometimes, doesn't make him bad. Say that about Prom again and we're going home."
Then, without missing a beat, he turns to Prompto and arches a brow. "As for you, sit."